From planting trees in country parks to baking cakes with underprivileged children, Citic Bank International's 1,600 employees have contributed more than 10,000 hours to volunteer work, says Doreen Chan, the bank's chief executive.

Underpinned by a sustainability agenda, the bank focuses its corporate social responsibility efforts on three themes - nurturing young people to become future leaders while enhancing the quality of education for underprivileged children, building harmonious relations with the environment and caring for under-served communities.

Deeply convinced that corporate social responsibility plays an important role in achieving sustainable business success, the lender has also, for the first time, become a major donor to Operation Santa Claus.

The annual appeal jointly organised by the South China Morning Post and Radio Television Hong Kong has raised more than HK$154 million for more than 100 charities since it was launched in 1988. This year, OSC aims to collect millions more.

The money will go to important projects being run by 16 charities, helping them to carry out vital work in a time of financial turmoil.

'It is a well-run and respected fund-raising effort,' Chan said.

'We are proud to become a major donor to Operation Santa Claus for the first time,' she said. 'Its beneficiaries are well aligned with Citic Bank International's corporate social responsibility theme.'

The bank's chief executive also believes OSC is a good platform to help the lender to reach more needy people and to raise public awareness of helping those in need.

In nurturing young people, the bank focuses on improving education for children from underprivileged families through its partnership with non-government organisations.

In one of its projects, the bank provides free tutorial sessions to 240 primary school students. It also works closely with green groups on improving the city's environment.

'It has been a good year for Citic Bank International and the holiday season is a great time to give back to the community,' Chan said.

How you can give

Donate online by credit card at osc.scmp.com

Donations can be made at ATMs or at any branch of HSBC: account number 502-676299-001 for SCMP CHARITIES LTD-OPERATION SANTA CLAUS

Donations of HK$100 or more are tax-deductible. If you would like a tax receipt, please send the completed donation form and original bank receipt with your name, address and phone number to the address above.

Contact us via e-mail at osc@scmp.com, telephone 2680 8159 or visit us online at osc.scmp.com